RALEIGH, N.C. – Current North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory has called for a statewide recount in the 2016 gubernatorial race.

“With many outstanding votes yet to be counted for the first time, legal challenges, ballot protests and voter fraud allegations, we must keep open the ability to allow the established recount process to ensure every legal vote is counted properly,” said Russell

“This is nothing but a last-ditch effort from Governor McCrory to delay and deny the results of this election. Roy cooper leads by 8,569 votes–a number that is growing daily as counties finalize election results. We are confide that a recount will do nothing to change the fact that Roy Cooper has won this election,” said Trey Nix, Roy Cooper’s campaign manager.

Counties were supposed to certify their results by Friday, but some local election officials have said they won’t meet the deadline because of legal challenges filed by McCrory.

A formal recount cannot be done until after the county boards certify their results.